Focus Fixture: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur Betting Tips and Preview

This week Alex Brinton previews the first North London Derby of the season as Tottenham make the short trip to bitter-rivals Arsenal in this Sunday’s 2pm kick off.

The Form

The two rivals had very different campaigns last season with Arsenal fighting for the title and Tottenham floundering down in eighth and missing out on any European football for the first time since 2009/10. It was also the first time in six seasons that the Gunners have finished the season above Spurs.

But the new season has brought a change of manager at Spurs and new man Ange Postecoglou has turned the team’s fortunes around. There is a change of mood at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and, despite the loss of record-goalscorer Harry Kane, there now seems to be a real bond between fans, players and manager - something not seen since Mauricio Pochettino’s departure.

Tottenham’s new ‘Ange-ball’ comes under its biggest test this weekend. This season, Arsenal have the exact same record as Spurs, four wins and a draw, both beating Manchester United at home. The Gunners are yet to really hit top gear in the Premier League, instead have had very strong spells without dominating. You could say it is impressive they still find themselves just two points off Manchester City, or that they have been unconvincing and could be undone this weekend. It is hard to say which. 

For both teams this game is a real marker. For Spurs a win, or a draw, is a sign of real progress whereas for Arsenal a win puts out a statement that they’re serious about challenging for the title again. 

While Spurs have had all week to prepare for the derby, Arsenal’s 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night will give another boost of confidence. They returned to Champions League football after a six year hiatus and looked like they had never been away.

The Gunners have an incredibly strong home record in the North London Derby. Since their move to the Emirates in 2006 they have only lost twice to Spurs and you have to go all the way back to November 2010 for the last time they lost a league fixture at home to Spurs. Arsenal have also lost only one of the last five games against Spurs home or away. 

Arsenal fans will be glad to see the back of Kane, who holds the record for goals in this fixture with 14.

The Runners and Riders

Arsenal are still without Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber. Gabriel Martinelli is also a doubt after coming off with a hamstring issue against Everton last weekend.

Spurs have suffered a big setback this week with Ivan Perisic picking up a complex ACL injury in non-contact training. This could be the beginning of the end for the 34-year-old Croatian international. To go along with that they are still missing Rodrigo Bentancur as he makes his way back from his own ACL injury sustained in February. 

What They Said

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “They [Spurs] have a new manager that has done really, really well and he’s changed the vibe around the club. They have a different style too so we have to be ourselves and do our best to beat them.”

Postecoglou, who will be managing his first North London Derby, said: “I’ve always felt with these kind of fixtures, you allow the players to go out there and hopefully try to get them to express themselves in the best possible way and not put too many restrictions around them or try to guide them too much.”

Bet Builder Tip

Arsenal’s home record in this fixture makes it tough to look past them in this one, but I don’t think you can rule out a draw either, 1.22, with the way Tottenham have started this season.

The Gunners have only kept a clean sheet in two of their last 12 games at home in all competitions, making both teams to score a very strong bet. 

Last season’s fixtures produced a total of ten cards, so over 4.5 cards for a game that is no stranger to some heavy challenges seems worth it.

Recommended Bet

Back Arsenal to win, BTTS and over 4.5 cards @ 3.5